Fruit of the Day |13 March 2013

FRUIT OF THE DAY

Papayas

Papaya  fruit or pawpaw is packed with numerous health benefiting nutrients and digestive, and medicinal properties. Papaya tree is grown extensively all over the tropical regions and cultivated for its fruits and latex papain, an enzyme that is used in food industry.

Papayas which are pear-shaped fruits is said to ripen when it feels soft to thumb pressure, and its skin has attained an amber to orange hue.

There are numerous black seeds inside and the  flesh is orange in color with either yellow or pink hues, soft in consistency and has a deliciously sweet, musky taste with rich flavor.

Health benefits of the papaya

The papaya fruit is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol; however, is a rich source of phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. It contains soft, easily digestible flesh with a good amount of soluble dietary fiber that helps to have normal bowel movements; thereby reducing constipation. It’s fresh, ripe fruit is one of the fruits with the highest vitamin-C more than that of oranges and lemons. Research studies have shown that vitamin C has many important functions like free radicals scavenging, immune booster, and anti-inflammatory actions.

It is also an excellent source Vitamin Awhich is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is essential for visual sight. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties; help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes. Papaya fruit is also rich in many essential B-complex vitamins such as Folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin, and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish and play a vital role in metabolism.

Fresh papaya also contains a good amount of potassium and calcium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids and helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure countering effects of sodium.

Papaya has been proven natural remedy for many ailments. In traditional medicine, papaya seeds are anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and analgesic, and they are used to treat stomachache and ringworm infections.

Harvest and storage

Papaya is usually harvested when it shows signs of maturity; evident as skin slightly turning to yellow. Organic papayas generally left to ripen on the tree; however, care should be taken since over-ripen fruits actually fall off themselves and spoiled. F